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This trip report covers May 11 – 17 with little gambling on entry / exit days but much in between. I also have trouble with pictures and their attachment from my phone to the trip report in some semblance of order. IF there are pictures in a post preceding this one, my problems are apparently diminishing. If, however, this is the first post you see it would only reaffirm my ineptness as age creeps in and directions do no maintain their correct order of sequence within my brain.

Left home early enough to stop by the local Chuy’s for a taste of Tex Mex to hopefully tide me over the next week. Green chili chicken enchiladas with spicy rice and beans were sufficient. The corn tortillas hit the spot but so did the single bohemian bottled brew. Traffic was light but it was Wednesday about noon so not such a surprise. Parking was easy and the shuttle arrived and delivered quickly.

Not sure what the stories are on the news about TSA delays but encountered none this day in Austin and breezed through to the gate. Direct flight leaving at 3:30 left on time and was uneventful. Took the Showtime shuttle to Orleans on Tropicana Blvd. for my first two nights. Having not checked any bags I got off the plane and arrived at the hotel about 5:00 p.m. I was surprised the driver was able to take us with only three paid passengers. We made one stop at another terminal, picked up a second couple and made a single stop at MGM before Orleans. It was fine.

Check in was easy with a line of three in front of me. Room 1912. It was nice and just one floor up to the free morning paper. It is USA Today but for the life of me I can’t see how it remains in circulation. But it is adequate for sports results and weather. And passes time more quickly while awaiting breakfast or having coffee.

Food at Orleans was uneventful as I have had it many times before. The coffee shop for breakfast and the Prime Rib Loft (at the bar) for dinner. Snack or skip lunch is usually an early afternoon decision. Cocktail service was also quite effective.

Played craps at the Orleans and some blackjack. I timed my bj session to compare with MSS later in the trip as far as how many card points they gave for similar times at a table game (other than craps). For those not aware of b-connected (Boyd), they give you a point (comp point to spend on food or trade for free play) for every dollar in a machine, sometimes with multipliers of four on Video Poker and maybe six or ten on slots. On particular days / promotions. So you can keep track of coin in over a period of time by keeping track of points made in a session. Which is a headache.

So I go to the kiosk and open my account which shows points and credits and level, and take a picture of it with my phone. It has the time and at some point I go back and take another to compare and figure numbers. No need for paper or pen which I then promptly lose.

So one 90 minute session at Orleans was looked at. I bet 10$ / 14$/18$/25$/30$ if I string together wins. Once I lose I go back to 10$. I lost 27 $ over the course of the 90 minute session at a table with me and a mix of four or five other players. Double deck. I had 900 points added to my card score (points earned for one of three levels) when I made the second photo of my account. It would be the same as putting 900 $’s through a slot or vp machine. I started to think. Which is never a good sign in Vegas.

At the quarter level (1.25 per play) I probably average 15 hands a minute for 40 minutes an hour (with the other 20 minutes consumed by conversation / ordering a drink / disposing of previous consumption. So that is 750 $ coin – in per hour. For me. Which I find surprisingly close to the table game which was less hands per minute but at a higher rate per hand. With 3/2 the best pay out. So I was impressed but not sure why. The Orleans is just a shuttle ride or 20 minute walk from the Gold Coast. And the machines are wayyyyyyy better in terms of pay-out.

Stayed about 5 or 6 hours. Played and left up which is always good. The last year (June to May) has allowed for 3 Royals to be paid on the bank of machines close to the Red Zone Bar and Ping Pang Pong. Easy to spot because the sign on top facing Pong says No Smoking. Or Reserved for Our Non Smoking Guests. Or some such. The waitress in this area is also quite efficient but not invasive. So I left in a good mood and went to eat back at the Orleans. Watched the Spurs lose to the OKC but the prime rib was good.

Played craps that night (Thursday) and one lady went on a tear. She threw the dice like she might swing at someone with an open fist. Always expected them to take off over the next table but they never did. She took 10 $ place bets on the 4 and 10 up to 200 $ and had all the other numbers but I noticed particularly the 4 / 10. Colored up after that and they were very nice in my points as I got 2000 points for about an hour’s play. Timing (once again) is everything. And a press here and there doesn’t hurt. And a bet for the boys. And girls.

Check out on Friday was easy and I caught the Boyd Shuttle at 9:10 a.m. to connect with the Harrah’s parked Sam’s Town shuttle at 9:30 to get the next shuttle (at 10:15) to downtown. Did it all and was in the lobby of Main Street Station about 11:00 after a short walk from Fremont through the casino of California and across the bridge connecting the two properties.

Why do this? I am there for six nights and it is probably the most exercise I get the entire time. And it is a challenge to not get stuck at Harrah’s or Sam’s Town for an hour or so waiting on the next bus if you miss your ride. Plus, the freeway was backed up with construction so we took Fremont Street in instead. It was an eye-opener. Lots of vacant old motels with chain link fencing about them with signs that asked not to be disturbed. Lots of used car lots too. It was pretty depressing to see it all and the obligatory spray painted vow of something or other.

We passed an establishment called Pepe’s Tacos (or Burritos or something) and the lady sitting with her husband(?) obviously as I were virgins to all of what is out the windows as we breeze by. She says “Look. ‘pee-pees’ Tacos”. And her companion asks where and when he spots the sign says, “Oh yea, sure is”. Gosh right there is enough to take the time and ride the bus. It is not even a city bus.

Got into room 1023 facing the Plaza. Nice view because you got to see a lot from the freeway back around to the front of the California. If you craned your neck and looked real hard against the glass you could see a lot. But what you didn’t have to see you heard. Several times a day the train goes by. I am not a train person but some just went by clackety-clack and were merely annoying in ratcheting up the volume on the television and others actually had you retracting your legs as the engine seemingly went right through the room. It would be quick though and you could always return your feet to the ground with cramping. Much. The bed was fabulous and the shower pressure / tub drain very satisfactory.

Went down to play blackjack and relax prior to hitting the bar for some video entertainment. Played the same level as before although this was on a Friday early afternoon and only me and one or two other players compared to the Orleans. Played 70 minutes and then checked my points prior to heading for the bar. 600 card score points given. Not sure I even care anymore as bj used to be my game of choice and now seems so eh. But I can still add numbers to 21; many times beyond.

Went to the bar and saw Olegg and Crystal working. I am told it is never too late to order a bloody Mary which is great as they both can makes good ones. And still do. On the floor they get their mary from a premix through the tap. At the bar it is concocted right there while you view for free. Play vp for a while and talk as the bar is slow. Olegg is interesting and has much information to share in slower moments.

It was seafood buffet Friday and wasn’t feeling it so went with the take-out from 777 (California burger) and headed up to the room about 7:30. Came back down and played craps but with no swinging lady throwing the bones down the table, it wasn’t much of an experience. Lost 200 $’s and said I think I need to go watch some TV and catch some trains. Forgot to note the beginning numbers so can’t be too accurate on how many points I made from that session.

Prior to heading up I asked for a buffet comp for the next day and was not too impressed with the “brunch” vs. the Monday – Friday fare. But it was free and not too harmful to your body. Ate Prime Rib that night (again on a comp from the b-connected desk) and it was adequate buffet prime rib. Just not the same as restaurant sit down / wait on me Prime Rib.

Asked for a comp to the 777 Sunday night and the b-connected person said that had to from a hostess. She would call. Ipo came up and said ok what or how many? I wasn’t sure of the question so she looked at me and suggested “Ok; two. 40 $ enough do you think?” What’s to think? Sure. Had the peel-eat shrimp and the fried shrimp. Go with the peel and eat and ask for some horseradish. If you want anything I would ask when Ipo is working. She seemed very accommodating.

Went to the EAT for Sunday Brunch. I didn’t go for the brunch but it was Sunday and that is what they had. Have been here a couple of times before and the pancakes were always a ‘just manageable’ two stack. Brunch was three. I mismanaged. But still very good.

Walked by a Donut Shop. The shuttle bus driver had commented on this being a particularly popular shop with the lawyers’ offices in the area. When sold out for the day they write on the window “Sold Out”. Ok. Apparently it can heal those that cannot / do not walk on their own. I was full of pancakes. I kept walking.

The morning people were setting up or folding various materials into flowers and crucifixes for later use I suppose. Everyone seemed quite energized. Walked by HeartAttackGrill which is always entertaining. Downtown is so much more interesting than the strip for me. And a lot less steps. And the zip-line ride a thingy. I thought it was about 10 $’s or something. Had no clue.

Talked to a guy playing the bass but he couldn’t recall Inna Godda Davida or Iron Butterfly. “Don’t know either of those Dude”. Poor guy. A friend of mine in high school used to play it on his cello all the time. Kinda a little bass that stands north south. Anyway back to the Main Street Station vp.

Left to eat dinner at around 5 or so and wanted to play the Sigma Derby so showered buffed and all that to arrive to play about 3:30. Two couples from Oklahoma were playing and anticipating the basketball game with the Warriors. They felt confident the game would end up covering the 7.5 points they had been blessed with. I wished them luck. No one banged on the glass or did the play-by-play or anything. The machine was in great shape. Perhaps the drinks are stronger and more often and MGM as they seemed to be players and screamers over the sedate horse-betters at the D. Played 10 $ worth and won two races and drank 4 Modeloes(?) prior to extracting myself from a very low chair (stools would be my option for viewing) and then made my way (walking past the VERY loud Long Bar as reported earlier) to the California for the Market Street Prime Rib. It was ok. Service good. The black plastic is now over against the outside wall off the corner of Ogden. I took a picture as well as what now occupies where the snack bar once beckoned many times a trip. Mostly $ wheel of fortune and Brittany. More takers were usually in the snack bar than the number of players I saw on my various trips through this area of gaming.

Monday was sort of the last day (actually it was the last day) to take advantage of the bar. I ordered about 4 Bailey’s and coffee one at a time and played at the bar. Hit a four of a kind. Olegg calls over the radio. She comes up to give me my scratch card and chastises him for not telling her what machine number so she knew which player to reward. He said sorry and she said you should be. I look up the bar and get it. I am the sole gambler this a.m. at the Boar’s Head. Work place humor. I went to breakfast and returned for the obligatory bloody mary or two; or three.

No other big hits this trip just lots of ups and downs. The four of a kinds came in groups. Droughts followed by raining two dollar (two three dollar) scratch-offs which put you on a first name basis with the slot person doling them out.

Rode the WAX to the airport without incident. Pretty slow in the public transportation racket this a.m. Could have taken the 7:18 or the 7:50 a.m. for my 9:30 flight. I woke up early and took the 7:18 as I was just waiting and could wait at the airport just as easy. Good thing I did as the line was long when I got to the security area and twice to twice and a half longer when I finally got to show my socks to the carpet. Saw more security people standing around chatting or leering menacingly but not checking Id’s or screening. It was / is kind of a joke in the totality of it all. We got backed up with the x-ray that you walk into like a closet and hold up your arms. One lady had to go back and forth to be re-gamma’d for some reason. So the lady on our side asks if we have any metal hips, shoulders, joints etc. and to go through over here>>>one of the older (preferable) metal detectors. We were in and out in less than five seconds a person. I still wonder who is responsible for your stuff as you are stuck way back in the line and it just sits there on the x-ray belt awaiting your retrieval. Accidents happen and so do thefts. Made it back with my stuff though 20 minutes early to Austin after an uneventful return. Only the lady sleeping next to me with her head back and mouth open was entertaining on this flight.

I forgot to mention the ice cream shop in California walkway to MSS. It is like a quarter more for the sundae than for two scoops of ice cream. Who can think straight at a time like this? hopefully this works and adds to the overview....although not in order....

Thanks for sharing a strategy to try to understand points earned from table games. It is interesting that you have found an hour's play at either $.25 video poker or blackjack to generate equivalent points.

Thanks for the trip report! Enjoyed reading it. Wished I was at that table when the lady went on a heater. Appreciate the tip on taking a picture when checking the kiosk. Great idea when trying to track your points.

I can never get the posting pic thing down.....but here are some of those I attempted earlier which did not make....and now they are huge so I still don't know. view out the window on the bus and the line at 7:55 in the a.m. at the airport....sorry. next report will be more easily read.

Yes as to the ice cream. What is weird is a scoop of ice cream is like 2.75 $ and two scoops is 5.25 $'s but a sundae is only 5.75 or so $'s and you get two cherries. And they accept points for purchase which I didn't but don't know why. Usually my wife and I split the sundae on the way back to the room in the evening but no one accepted her role so I took one for the team.
Here also are some pics of the California coming in from the Binion's facing doorway. Construction plastic covers what used to be (might still be) the back bar behind the craps tables near Keno and also what took the place of the snack bar.
And who honestly thinks the price is right? I never imagined it to be this expensive for the zipline...